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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Great Performances Abound in Asheville

It's a busy time of year in Asheville, North Carolina. There so many things to see and do that it's hard to choose. It's one of the reasons Asheville is a such a popular vacation destination, in addition to the spectacular scenery, of course.Asheville offers a host of great performances throughout the year, and November is no different. Here are some of the performance highlights you'll find in Asheville this week and beyond. For a full listing of performances and other events during your stay, be sure to visit ExploreAsheville.com's events page. Asheville Symphony

On Saturday, November 17 at 8p.m., enjoy three selections including Bizet's L'Artésienne Suite No. 1, Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Joyce Yang, piano), and Beethoven's Symphony No. 4. The first is from the score of L'Artésienne Suite by composer Georges Bizet. The spirit and stories of Southern France are expressed through the viewpoint of a Parisian. Then Joyce Yang joins the performance to play Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Yang is a Van Cliburn medalist who eagerly takes on the challenge of this complicated piece in a sure-to-please performance. Lastly, the night concludes with Beethoven's Symphony No. 4; one his most creative symphonies. The Asheville Symphony performs at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium at the US Cellular Center in Asheville. Ticket prices run from $20-$58 depending on seating. Asheville Symphony ticketing information can be found here.

Asheville Community TheatreBeginning Friday, November 16 and continuing until December 1, Inspecting Carol is a performance about a man who auditions at a small theater and is mistaken for an informer for the National Endowment for the Arts. This creates a lot of confusion and hilarity as the bewildered wannabe actor is given a performing role in their current production, A Christmas Carol. Be prepared for a delightful performance perfect for any time of year but is especially suiting during the holiday season.

Also now playing at the Asheville Community Theatre is Naughty But Nice! through November 24. This performance captures the wit of Noel Coward and the sophistication of Cole Porter. The musical is designed to take guests to the inner circles of New York, Paris, London, and Cannes. It's a collection of songs and monologues, and is crowd-pleaser.

The Asheville Community Theatre is located on 35 East Walnut Street. Admission prices and show dates and times for each of the performances can be found at the Asheville Community Theatre's website.Paula Poundstone

Paula Poundstone performs at the Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place in Asheville on Friday, November 16. Tickets are $35 in advance and $38 the day of the show. Poundstone is known for appearing on stage with a stool, a mic, and a Diet Pepsi combined with her natural wit and knack for improvisation. She delights crowds and offers fast-paced laughs with ease. The Boston Globe is quoted as saying, "Poundstone improvises with a crowd like a Jazz musician...swinging in unexpected directions without a plan, without a net."Visit the Diana Wortham Theatre website for ticketing options and information. Be sure to check out some of their other performances scheduled for November!Asheville Holiday Parade & Jingle FestIn its 66th year, the Asheville Holiday Parade is held this Saturday, November 17 from 11a.m. to 1p.m. It begins at Biltmore Avenue, turns at Pack Square on Patton Avenue, and continues onto French Broad Avenue. Streets along this route are closed to through traffic beginning at 9a.m. and reopen at 1p.m. The parade includes marching bands, dance teams, local non-profits, local businesses, and more. The parade is followed by the Downtown Jingle Fest from 1-4p.m. at Pack Square Park. Full details and information can be found at the Asheville Downtown Association's website. Both the parade and Jingle Fest are free!Thanksgiving Specials on Asheville Accommodations